POST F-104 FINDS AND DISCUSSION HERE

[Gunner]

Looks like BCA had to abandon its policy of only offering preorders on the stuff that has been "transferred to their shipping agent" - they say the Smoke II is just going to production. Confused I guess once MTS had the pre-order they needed it too....so much for self-imposed standards..

Yeah, but I don't have time to run to Wal Mart every day, and I suspect that this paint scheme will be VERY popular!

Although the German F-104's have been slow movers in my AOR, the Silver ones have a shelf life of a few seconds. Of course, the fact that I live next door to an Air Force Base might have something to do with that (and is a reason that I think that I would have a hard time finding SMOKE II on the shelf...)

[digger]

Don't get me wrong...I'm not knocking ordering online...that's how I get almost all my stuff.

[pokeyjtc]

I'll probably just wait for Smoke II to show up at WM. I bought the other 2 version right when they came out through online shops, only to find them a couple of months later at WM. With shipping and the extra online mark up, I spent close to an extra $40 to get those planes versus waiting for WM. This time I'll just be more patient and save some money.

I have noticed that all of the US F-104s sold really quickly and there aren't any left around here. They have been replaced by the German F-104s. We'll see if these move as quickly.

[Gunner]

Don't get me wrong...I'm not knocking ordering online...

And don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking buying from TRU/Target/WM.

The thrill of the chase is a big part of the fun of any hobby, IMHO, as is the thrill of that unexpected discovery.

However, right now I'm not in a position to spent much time shopping, especially given WM's poor record on XD Distribution. Only one of my local stores carries even a "good" selection of XD.

The only Silver F-104 I've seen at a WM store was by sheer accident. My wife and I were visiting relatives in another town. My wife forgot her sunglasses, so we stopped in to buy a pair, and I took a quick spin through the toy section, and there it was.

Like I said, I live near an Air Force Base, so I expect "Smoke II" to fly off the shelves here.

[Jericoeagle1]

Its too frustrating to keep showing up at my local Walmart. They still have the same 3 FW-190's that have been there for 7 months. They influx of 1/32 scale vehicles and aircraft are great. But I find its just easier to preorder or wait till its online. Sure there are shipping fees but I figure out that it is the same in the end for it saves me time and gas.

[jaywhy8202]

I'm still casting my vote for 21C to roll-out at least ONE Koku Jeitai (JASDF) F-104J with markings from:
- 203 Hikotai (Chitose AB)
- 204 Hikotai (Hyakuri AB)
- 205 Hikotai (Komatsu AB)
- 207 Hikotai (Naha AB, Okinawa)

or a beaut F-104DJ sporting any one of the above squadron markings, or JASDF Air Proving Wing (APW).

Then again, I'd LOVE to have a 1:18 Mitsubishi F-1 or T-2, and a few Rhinos to add to my collection!

[ostketten]

Then again, I'd LOVE to have a 1:18 Mitsubishi F-1 or T-2, and a few Rhinos to add to my collection!

Would you settle for a Sepecat Jaguar?? They look very similar to your Mitsubishi's. Well.... it's just a thought.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1 ... id=1038398

[KAGNEW]

if anyone is wants to no
the airshow group The Starfighters were just given 16 flyable F-104S Super Starfighters from the Italian air force

[Sabrefan]

The Starfighters are an awesome airshow team. I sent them an email awhile back and they sent me the coolest autographed picture. It has two F-104s on it and it is signed " Hi Paul, its rocket time!" Very cool indeed.

[KAGNEW]

I have a lot of respect for Rick, JR, and the gang.
JR and i talk a lot and are working on a deal together so i get a lot of stuff first hand.

[Sabrefan]

How cool would a 21st Century F-104 look in the "Starfighters" paint scheme? That would look nice.

[KAGNEW]

21st was asked by team members and told no
so my job with team is to build them for the team
you will see my repaints and super detailed planes in 1/48, 1/32, & 1/18
on their site in a few months
we are working out all the details now.
we have kits/models/decals coming from Canada, Japan,& China, and other places.
it has taken us some time to get it together, but i guess we can tell the rest of world now our plans
i think the team will be moving team headquarters to Chattanooga Tenn. in next year or so.
more later

[Sabrefan]

Anyone know when the "Smoke 2" version of the F-104 wil be out?

[tmanthegreat]

According to the BCA site, they will be appearing in May. Considering that it just happens to be that particular month, I think your wait may be very short

[Sabrefan]

Does only BCA have "Smoke 2" up for preorder? I was wondering who I should get one from. I am really looking forward to getting this model.

[stv9000]

I would like to see the NASA paint and a US Airforce experimental ("pumpkin") paint. May do one of these myself. I would still love to see a 104 chasing an x-15 in 1/18.

[Sabrefan]

I agree with you there. I really like the NASA F-104s. I would like to see that model.

[ostketten]

Its too frustrating to keep showing up at my local Walmart. They still have the same 3 FW-190's that have been there for 7 months.

I agree, the whole WM thing can be very frustrating. I consider myself very fortunate that I have no less than about a dozen Walmart stores including several "supercenters" within a 60 mile radius of my home. Now, I don't have time to recon all these on a consistent basis, but there are at least 4 or 5 that I can check out regularly, like once a week, or at most bi-weekly, but I can tell you for sure that re-stocking the shelves with 21C stuff is a slow, very haphazard affair. Sometimes new and different models appear unexpectedly, and then poof...nothing for weeks or even months at a stretch, so yeah it's all very frustrating

[tmanthegreat]

Decided to resurrect a very old thread...

Anyways, I was at my local Hobbytown USA store today (in 2010) and there was a boxed S1 silver USAF F-104 on the shelf. They must have found it buried in the storeroom as the box had seen some wear and tear and was actually a little faded in spots. The contents were otherwise untouched and mint.

It seems to me that the S1 F-104s are somewhat hard to find these days and while I have one already, I figured I’d pick up this second one, particularly as the $60 price was right and I got it for around $50 with some Hobbycard discounts and all.

I'll move it into one of my F-104 boxes that is in better shape and hang on to it for a while

[digger]

Nice find - still one the best done birds in 1:18.

[tmanthegreat]

I agree

[DocTodd]

Cool find and I agree one of the better done 21st planes.

[supersonicfifi]

yes Smoke II is one of my fav' models.

here is the 2006 link with pictures next the BBI F 16 :

viewtopic.php?t=4788&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

good ol' days ... cheap jet & cheap postages !

Phil

[supersonicfifi]